Gubu World is an Irishmans view of global affairs. Gubu is an Irish political phrase that stands for grotesque, unbelievable, bizare and unprecendented. Gubu World is a polictical blog that debates international issues of contention. While keeping an eye on events in Ireland we regularly debate developments in Iraq, Iran, Israel and other troubled spots.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

John McCain on Northern Ireland

It appears that Irish America is beginning to turn solidly behind Barack Obama. Irish Americans have traditionally voted democrat but there was a fear that McCain might nudge his way into this constituency as a result of bitter Hillary Clinton supporters, many of whom are Irish Americans, and because of Obama's position on the special envoy to Northern Ireland. However any fear of this trend becoming a more standard pattern is waning mainly thanks to the financial crisis which is hurting McCain big time in the polls. And in an article in The Irish Times yesterday, that was also circulated around the US, former ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smyth, Sister of Jack, Bobby and Ted, illustrated how John McCain consistently opposed Bill Clinton's efforts in Northern Ireland.

Jean Kennedy Smyth, center, was US ambassador to Ireland from 1993 to 1998, pictured here along side John Hume and Liz O'Donnell.

According to the former ambassador, John McCain described Clinton's role in Northern Ireland as "mistaken". He vehemently opposed Bill Clinton's decision to grant Gerry Adams a US visa in 1993 and further criticised the Presidents decision to invite the Sinn Fein chief to the White House. Any scholar of the Northern Irish peace process knows that this was a pivotal moment in its success. The process itself has now become a model for conflict resolution throughout the world. Any American that doubts this or wishes to trivialise Clinton's role in Northern Ireland should keep in mind the respect an admiration Bill Clinton earned for himself and his country throughout Ireland and Europe for his Irish endeavour. They should further remember that this respect paid dividends in countless ways to the benefit of American national interest. This as we know was completely undone by the Bush administration.

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About Gubu World

In 1982 Irelands most wanted criminal, a double murderer was arrested in the home of the attorney general whom he was aquainted with socially. The Taoiseach (Irish Prime minister) of the day, Charles Haughey, described the event as being grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecendented. The phrase gubu was born. The creator of this blog believes that gubu is a perfectly appropriate phrase to describe the sequence of global events that have occurred since the outbreak of the second intifada in September 2000 and the present day. This time line incorporates many grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented events such as September 11th, the invasion of Afghanistan, the Iraq war, genocide in Darfur, the Iranian nuclear crisis and the second Lebanon war. Gubu World is committed to instigating intelligent and rational debate in order to make some sense of the madness.

About Me

My name is Ted Leddy. I am a 29 year old Irishman with an intense interest in global affairs, particularly within the Middle East. I am interested in debating with people on the following issues. Israel, Jewish politics, The Israeli Palestinian peace process, Iran and Iraq. I also intend to regularly commentate on the progress of President Obamas presidency keeping a particular eye on his foreign policy.